Idiopathic horner syndrome diagnosed remotely using telemedicine.

Idiopathic Horner Syndrome Diagnosed Remotely using Telemedicine. The novel Coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), pandemic has altered the field of ophthalmology in myriad ways. During the initial lockdown period in March, the use of telemedicine expanded to adhere to public health guidelines. The field of neuro-ophthalmology is an ophthalmic sub-specialty less prone to the use of telemedicine. We present a case of isolated idiopathic Horner syndrome in a 39 year old female diagnosed through telemedicine.

Comparison of Volatile Compounds Contributing to Flavor of Wild Lowbush (Vaccinium augustifolium) and Cultivated Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) Blueberry Fruit Using Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry.

The flavor of blueberry fruit products is an important parameter determining consumer satisfaction. Wild lowbush blueberries are primarily processed into products, but their flavor chemistry has not been characterized. The objective of this study was to characterize the aroma chemistry of lowbush blueberries and compare it with that of highbush. Aroma volatiles of lowbush blueberries from four Canadian provinces and five highbush blueberry cultivars were isolated using headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and characterized using gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and 2-dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOF-MS). Lowbush fruit volatiles were composed of 48% esters, 29% aldehydes and 4% monterpenoids compared to 48% aldehydes, 26% monoterpenoids and 3% esters in highbush fruit. Twenty-three aroma-active peaks were identified in lowbush compared to forty-two in highbush fruit using GC-O. The most aroma-active compounds in lowbush fruit were ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, methyl 2-methylbutanoate, methyl 3-methylbutanoate, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate and ethyl propanoate compared to geraniol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, 1-octen-3-one, α-terpineol and linalool in highbush fruit. The aroma volatile composition was more consistent among lowbush fruit samples than the five highbush cultivars. Aroma-active GC-O peaks were described more frequently as "floral", "fruity", "sweet" and "blueberry" in lowbush than in highbush fruit. Results suggest wild lowbush blueberries would provide "fruitier" and "sweeter" flavors to food products than cultivated highbush fruit.

Septo-optic dysplasia associated with congenital persistent fetal vasculature, retinal detachment, and gastroschisis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the association of septo-optic dysplasia, persistent fetal vasculature, retinal detachment, and gastroschisis in a preterm neonate. METHODS: This is a case report. RESULTS: A female preterm neonate was found to have septo-optic dysplasia, with optic nerve hypoplasia, tripartite splitting of the vessels at the optic nerve, an ectopic pituitary gland, and absence of the septum pellucidum associated with persistent fetal vasculature, a retinal detachment, and gastroschisis. CONCLUSION: Septo-optic dysplasia may also be associated with other ophthalmic findings and other developmental malformations as the authors report in this case. Follow-up should consist of a multidisciplinary approach with radiologic and endocrinology consultation.

A method to detect diphenylamine contamination of apple fruit and storages using headspace solid phase micro-extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy.

Analysis of headspace concentrations of diphenylamine using solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) was examined for its suitability to detect DPA contamination and off-gassing in apple (Malus domestica) fruit, storage rooms and storage materials. Four SPME fibre coatings including polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, 100 µm), PDMS/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB), Polyacrylate (PA) and PDMS 7 µm were evaluated. The average limits of detection and of quantification for head space DPA ranged from 0.13 to 0.72 µg L(-1) and 0.42 to 2.35 µg L(-1), respectively. Polyacrylate was identified to be the most suitable and compatible fibre for DPA analysis in apple samples, because of its high sensitivity to DPA and low fruit volatile interferences. SPME techniques were further applied to study contamination of DPA in apples, storage rooms and packaging materials. DPA was found in the air of storage rooms containing apples that were not treated with DPA. Wood and plastic bin material, bin liners, and foam insulation all adsorbed and off-gassed DPA and could be potential sources of contamination of untreated apples.

Targeted disruption of the voltage-dependent calcium channel alpha2/delta-1-subunit.

Cardiac L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels are heteromultimeric polypeptide complexes of alpha(1)-, alpha(2)/delta-, and beta-subunits. The alpha(2)/delta-1-subunit possesses a stereoselective, high-affinity binding site for gabapentin, widely used to treat epilepsy and postherpetic neuralgic pain as well as sleep disorders. Mutations in alpha(2)/delta-subunits of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels have been associated with different diseases, including epilepsy. Multiple heterologous coexpression systems have been used to study the effects of the deletion of the alpha(2)/delta-1-subunit, but attempts at a conventional knockout animal model have been ineffective. We report the development of a viable conventional knockout mouse using a construct targeting exon 2 of alpha(2)/delta-1. While the deletion of the subunit is not lethal, these animals lack high-affinity gabapentin binding sites and demonstrate a significantly decreased basal myocardial contractility and relaxation and a decreased L-type Ca(2+) current peak current amplitude. This is a novel model for studying the function of the alpha(2)/delta-1-subunit and will be of importance in the development of new pharmacological therapies.